Object slide attachment system

ABSTRACT

An object slide attachment system designed for temporarily transporting various secondary objects that must be selectively removed or connected to a primary support object or surface. The system includes an elongated receiver mounted or attached to a primary support object or surface. The elongated receiver includes at least one elevated connecting site with a longitudinally aligned, inverted bell-shaped keyway opening formed thereon. The system also includes a complimentary-shaped post member attached to an intermediate slide connector that connects to a secondary object or that is formed directly on a secondary object. The post member is L-shaped in cross-section and includes an upper half-circular wing section integrally formed on a lower cylindrical body. During use, the post member must be properly rotated and aligned with the keyway opening in order to engage and disengage from the keyway slot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/794,255, filed on Apr. 21, 2006.

1. Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to connectors for temporarily attachingdifferent objects to another object or surface.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hunters commonly wear vests, jackets or belts when hunting. Formed onthe vest, jacket or belt are pockets, clips, and buckles designed totransport different objects when hunting. Some vests, jackets and beltsinclude D-rings or buckles designed to hold larger objects or an elasticstrap sewn into a surface that is divided into small loops designed toreceive smaller cylindrical objects, such as bullets or shotgun shells.

One drawback with a vest, jacket or belt that uses D-rings, buckles orelastic straps is that it can be difficult to attach and detachsecondary objects to them when the vest, jacket or belt is worn. Twohands are often required which forces the hunter to rest any objects hemay be holding on the ground.

Another drawback of D-rings, buckles or elastic straps is that theyoften become snagged by vegetation when walking through trees or bushes.This can often trip the hunter or disengage any objects attached to theD-ring, buckle or elastic strap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an object slideattachment system for selectively attaching and detaching a secondaryobject to a primary support object or surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a systemthat securely holds the secondary object on the primary support objector surface and only disconnects from the secondary object or surfacewhen the secondary object or the primary support object or surface arealigned in an orientation not normally used or obtained during normaluse.

These and other objects are met by the object slide attachment systemthat includes a rigid or semi-rigid elongated receiver mounted orattached to a primary support object or surface. The elongated receiverincludes at least one connecting site that includes a longitudinallyaligned keyway opening formed therein. The system also includes a postmember designed to selectively engage the keyway opening. The postmember may be directly attached to a secondary object or surface or ontoan optional intermediate structure, called a slide connector, thatindependently attaches to a secondary object or surface.

In the preferred embodiment, the keyway opening is an invertedbell-shape opening longitudinally aligned on the connecting sites'elevated platform. The bell-shape opening includes an upper largehalf-circular void area and a lower small oval shape void area. Thecenter axes of the two void areas are longitudinally aligned on theelevated platform. The oval shape void area is smaller than the elevatedplatform so that flange surfaces are formed on the elevated platformaround the oval void area.

The post member is perpendicularly aligned and directly formed orattached to a secondary object or surface formed or attached to anintermediate structure that then attaches to the secondary structure.The post member is L-shaped in cross-section and includes an upperhalf-circular wing section integrally formed on a lower cylindricalbody. The half-circular wing section is complementary to the largehalf-circular void area formed on the elevated platform. Thehalf-circular wing section and the cylindrical body on the post memberare coaxially aligned. The wing section is a thin plate structure and itextends longitudinally outward from the cylindrical body. When the postmember is inserted into the bell-shaped opening, and rotated, the wingsection extends over the inside surface of the elevated platform therebyholding the post member onto the elevated platform.

In the preferred embodiment, the post member is attached to the upperportion of the secondary object or slide connector so that the secondaryobject's or surface's center of gravity is below the post member'scenter of gravity. The half-circular wing section extends downward belowthe cylindrical body's center axis when a secondary object or slideconnector is attached to the elongated receiver.

When initially connecting a secondary object or surface to the elongatedreceiver, the post member is first rotated to a non-used ornon-transported position and aligned over the keyway open. When the wingsections are properly aligned and registered, the post member may bepressed into the bell-shaped opening. The post member is then rotatedapproximately 180 degrees and pulled downward to engage the oval voidarea. During normal use, the secondary object is able to swing freelyfrom side-to-side 350 degrees. During use, the weight of the secondaryobject attached to the post member applies a downward force thereonwhich helps to prevent the post member from accidentally disengaging.

As mentioned above, the post member may be attached or formed on asecondary object or on an intermediate structure, called a slideconnector, that attaches to a the secondary object. An example of asecondary object with a keyway opening designed to attach to a secondpost member on a slide connector is the shot gun dispenser disclosed inthe inventor's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/078,472filed on Mar. 3, 2005, and Ser. No. 29/252,978 filed Jan. 30, 2006,which are hereby incorporated by reference When a slide connector isused, the post member is attached at one end and a means for connectingthe slide connector to the secondary object is provided at the oppositeend. In one embodiment, the means for connecting the slide connector tothe secondary object is a second post member formed on the slideconnector's proximal end opposite the first post member that connects tothe keyway opening. In another embodiment of the slide connector, themeans for connecting of the slide connector to a secondary object is aloop strap connector formed on the slide connector's proximal end. Instill another embodiment, the means for connecting the slide connectorto the secondary object is a second keyway opening formed on the slideconnector's proximal end that connects to a second post member on thesecondary object.

The elongated receivers and the slide connectors come in different sizesfor attaching different secondary objects to the primary support object.The elongated receivers may be sewn or adhesively attached to the insideor outside surfaces of a primary support object. In the preferredembodiment, the elongated receiver is made of plastic with thin supportflanges. The support flanges are relatively thin and flexible therebyenabling the elongated receiver to bend and twist on the primary supportobject or surface. Two optional slots may be formed on each connectingsite designed to receive a longitudinally aligned strap or belt to beextended through the elongated receiver.

In the preferred embodiment, the elongated receiver is securely attachedto a primary support object and surface while the post member isattached to the secondary structure or slide connector. During use thesecondary structure or the slide connector are rotated so that the postmembers may be selectively attached to the elongated receiver. It shouldbe understood, however, that the structures or surfaces to which theelongated receiver and post member are attached or formed may bereversed to that the post member is attached to the primary supportobject or surface and that elongated receiver is attached to thesecondary

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an individual wearing a hunting vestwith the slide attachment system constructed therein used to attach twoshotgun dispensers and cellular telephone to the vest's two frontpanels.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the hunting vest shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a jacket with the slide attachmentsystem constructed therein used to attach a shotgun dispenser, a keyringholder, and a cellular telephone.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the jacket shown in FIG. 3 showingthe slide attachment system used on the rear panel to hold a shotgundispenser.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cellular telephone with a firstpost member attached to its rear surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an elongated receiver attached to aprimary support object.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the elongated receiver shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the elongated receiver shown inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of the elongated receiver shown in FIGS. 7and 8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional side elevational view taken along line 10-10 inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the elongated receiver showing aconnecting site in greater detail.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a double post style slideconnector.

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the double post style slideconnector shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a sectional side elevational view of a double post slideconnector.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a single post and strap styleslide connector.

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of a single post and strap styleslide connector.

FIG. 17 is a sectional side elevational view of a single post and strapstyle slide connector.

FIG. 18 is a rear view perspective view of a section of the elongatedreceiver showing two connectors attached thereto.

FIG. 19 is a sectional side elevational view of a connecting siteshowing a post member on a slide connector being inserted into thekeyway opening and forced downward within the oval void to retain theslide connector on the connecting site.

FIG. 20 is a rear plan view of an inverted shotgun shell dispenser beingattached to a double post style slide connector.

FIGS. 21A-C are three front elevational views of an inverted post memberbeing initially inserted into the keyway opening formed on a connectingsite, pulled downward inside the oval void, and then rotated to anupright position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the accompanying Figs., there is shown a primary supportobject shown as a vest 9, or jacket 11 worn by an individual 150 with anobject slide attachment system 6 constructed therein designed fortemporarily transporting various secondary objects 100, 120. The vest 9and jacket 11 include two side panels 12, 14 that cover an individual's150 side and front torso region and a back panel 16 that covers anindividual's 150 rear torso region. The vest 9 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2also includes two adjustable shoulder straps or two shoulder panels 18,19. Attached to the panels 12, 14, 16 is a horizontally alignedelongated receiver 20.

Each elongated receiver 20 includes at least one connecting site 21designed to connect to different secondary objects 100, 120 so that theyhang loosely from the vest 9 or jacket 11. When used on a vest, theelongated receivers 20 may be attached to the outside surface of thepanels 12, 14, 16. When used on a jacket, the elongated receivers 20 maybe attached to the inside surfaces of the panels 12, 14, 16.

As shown in FIGS. 6-9, the elongated receiver 20 includes a base frame22 made of two parallel longitudinally members 23, 24 connected togetherby a plurality of equally spaced apart transverse members 25. In thepreferred embodiment, an open space 26 is formed between the twolongitudinal members 23, 24 and between two adjacent transverse members25, 25′.

Located above the base frame 22 and between two adjacent transversemembers 25, 25′ is an elevated platform 30. As shown more clearly inFIGS. 6, 11 and 18 each elevated platform 30 includes a top planarmember 31 supported in an elevated position over the base frame 22 byfour legs 32-35. Formed under the top planar member 31 is the cavity 27.

Formed on each top planar member 31 is an inverted, centrally alignedkeyway opening 36 that includes an upper, large half-circular opening 37and a lower, small oval opening 38. The circular openings 37 and 38 areco-axially aligned and oriented on the planar member 31.

As stated above, the secondary objects 100, 120 are designed to beselectively attached to one of the elevated platforms 30 on theelongated receiver 20. Attached to the secondary object 100 is a postmember 42 that securely holds the secondary object 100 integrally formedor attached thereto or is independently attached to attaches the object100, 120 thereto during normal use. The shape of the post member 42 andthe keyway opening 36 are compatible so that the post member 42 must beproperly aligned in order to attach and detach the post member 42 fromthe key opening 36.

The post member 42 is L-shaped in cross-section and includes ahalf-circular wing section 43 integrally formed on a cylindrical body46. The half-circular wing section 43 is complementary to the largehalf-circular opening 37 formed on the elevated platform 30. Thehalf-circular wing section 43 and the cylindrical body 46 on the postmember 42 are also coaxially aligned. The wing section 43 is a thinplate structure and it extends longitudinally outward from thecylindrical body 46. A small slot is formed under the wing section 43.When the post member 42 is inserted into the keyway opening 36, androtated, the wing section 43 extends over the inside surface of theelevated platform 30 thereby holding the post member 42 onto theelevated platform 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, the post member 42 may be attached directly to asurface on a secondary object (cellular telephone 107). The post member42 is oriented on the secondary object so that the wing section 43 islocated below the cylindrical body 43. As shown in FIGS. 12-18, the postmember 42 may be formed on intermediate structures that are used toselectively connect a secondary object to the elongated receiver. Inevery embodiment, the post member 42 is attached to the upper portion ofthe secondary object or slide connector so that the secondary object'sor surface's center of gravity is below the post member's center ofgravity. The half-circular wing section 43 also extend downward belowthe cylindrical body's center axis when a secondary object or a slideconnector is attached to the elongated receiver 20.

There two types of intermediate structures disclosed herein. The firstintermediate structure is called a double post slide connector 40 isshown in FIGS. 12-1,4 includes two opposite oriented post members 42attached or formed on the slide connector. Each post member 42 isL-shaped in cross-section and includes an upper half-circular wingsection 43 formed on the outer portion of a lower circular body 46. Thewing section 43 includes two lateral ears 44, 45 that extend outward andbeyond the outer edges of the body 46. The diameter or width of the wing43 is slightly smaller than the upper opening 37 and slightly greaterthan the width of the half-circular lower opening 38 formed on theplanar member 31. In the preferred embodiment, a slot 48 is formedbehind the lower surface of the wing section 43 that receives the flangesurfaces 31A, 31B on the top planar member 31 that surround the keywayopening 36. The slot 48 allows the post member 42 to slide downwardinside the cavity 27 so that the ears 44, 45 are positioned against theinside surface of the flange surfaces 31A, 31B, (see FIG. 19). When theears 44, 45 are properly positioned, the first post member 42 isretained inside the keyway opening 36. The first post member 42 is thenrotated 180 degrees so that it hangs downward from the elongatedreceiver, (see FIGS. 21A-C).

In the second intermediate structure, is called a single post and buckleslide connector 40′ and shown in FIGS. 15-17. The double post slideconnector 40 includes one post member 42 formed near one end capable ofattached to a complimentary-shaped keyway on a primary object. Formed onthe opposite end of the slide connector 40′ is a second post member 40is capable of attaching to a second complimentary-shaped keyway opening36 formed on the secondary object. Each post member 42′ includes ahalf-circular head section 43′ and a half-circular section 46′. Theupper head section 43′ includes two lateral ears 44′, 45′ that extendoutward from the lower section 46′. A slot 48′ is formed behind the headsection 43′ which allows the post member 42′ to slide downward insidethe cavity space 27. Also formed on the slide connector 40′ is a bucklestrap connector 60 to form on the opposite, distal end 49′. The bucklestrap connector 60 is designed to receive a strap that extends from asecondary object that is transported.

It should be understood that the elongated receiver 20 may be made indifferent lengths and sizes and may include a one or more connectingsites 21. On the preferred embodiment, the elongated receiver 20 is madeof light flexible plastic that may be sewn directly onto the outer orinside surfaces of the vest or jacket. In the preferred embodiment, theelongated receiver 20 is approximately 1½ to 4 inches in width and 3 to16 inches in length. The elevated platform 30 measures 1 to 3 inchessquare. The open space 26 measures approximately ¼ to ½ inches inheight. The keyway openings 36, 36′ are inverted-bell-shaped openingsapproximately ½ to ¾ inch in width and ¾ to 1 inch in length. Duringassembly of the primary support object 8 and the elongated receiver 20is aligned so that its longitudinal axis is horizontally aligned. Theelongated receiver 20 is aligned on the primary support object 8 so thatits large half-circular opening 37 is positioned above the oval opening38. During use, the first post member 42 on the slide connector 40 or anobject easily engages the keyway opening 36 by light downward pressure.

As stated above, the primary support object 8 may be a garment with aplurality of elongated receivers 20 attached to either the inside oroutside surfaces of the side panels 12, 14 and back panel 16 so thatobjects attached may hang when the garment is worn. The elongatedreceiver 20 may be the inside surface may be preferred for some type ofprimary support object 8, such as a hunting vest 9, wherein the objectstransported are likely to contact branches or limbs that dislodge theobject from the primary support object 8.

FIG. 19 is a sectional side elevational view showing a post member 42being inserted into the keyway. The arrow shows the downward movement ofthe post member 42 once inside the keyway which locks the post member 42therein.

FIG. 20 is a rear elevational view of a shot gun dispenser disclosed inpending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/078,472, filed on Mar. 3,2005. The shot gun dispenser includes elevated receiver formed on itsback surface. The bell-shape keyway is upright so that it hangs from acomplimentary post member located on the lower end of a double postslide connector. During use, the slide connector and the dispenser arerotated so that wing section can slide into the wide void. The dispenseror slide connector are then rotated 180 and the dispenser is then pulleddownward to lock the dispenser and the slide connector together. Theslide connector can then be attached to an elevated receiver on the vestor jacket.

FIGS. 21A-C are three illustrations showing how the slide connector witha post member 42 attached thereto is first inserted into the keyway,rotated 180 degrees and pulled downward, and then able to swing freelyside-to-side.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features.It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown, since the means and construction shown iscomprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the inventioninto effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amendedclaims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

1. An object slide attachment system for temporarily attaching asecondary object to a primary object comprising: a. a primary object; b.at least one elongated receiver horizontally aligned and attached tosaid primary object, said elongated receiver including a plurality ofconnecting sites, each connecting site includes a keyway openingdesigned to attached to a complimentary-shaped first post memberattached or formed on a proximal end of a slide connector; and, c. aslide connector with a distal end with a first post member attached orformed thereon capable of being selectively inserted into said keywayopening formed on said connecting site, said first post member capableof being retained inside said keyway when said first post member isinserted into said keyway and rotated, and is pulled downward in saidkeyway, said slide connector including means for connecting an object tosaid slide connector so that said object may be hung from said garmentbody.
 2. The attachment system, as recited in claim 1, wherein saidmeans for connecting an object to said slide connector is a second postmember capable of being inserted into a complimentary-keyway formed onsaid object.
 3. The attachment system, as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid means for connecting a hanging object to said slide connector is astrap buckle capable of receiving an adjustable strap attached to saidobject.
 4. The attachment system, as recited in claim 1, wherein saidgarment is a sleeve-less vest.
 5. The attachment system, as recited inclaim 4, wherein said garment is a hunting vest with made ofcamouflaging material.
 6. The attachment system, as recited in claim 2,wherein said garment is a sleeve-less vest.
 7. The attachment system, asrecited in claim 6, wherein said garment is a hunting vest with made ofcamouflaging material.
 8. The attachment system, as recited in claim 3,wherein said garment is a sleeve-less vest.
 9. The attachment system, asrecited in claim 8, wherein said garment is a hunting vest made ofcamouflaging material.
 10. A garment with a slide connector attachmentsystem, comprising: a. a garment body that is capable of being worn byan individual; b. at least one elongated receiver horizontally alignedand attached to said garment body, said elongated receiver including aplurality of connecting sites, each connecting site includes a keywayopening designed to attached to a complimentary-shaped first post memberattached or formed on a proximal end of a slide connector.